Leisure Engagement, Loneliness, and Boredom in Residential Communities of Older Adults

Vollständiger Abstract

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Research indicates that the prevalence of loneliness and boredom may be higher for older adults living in residential facilities compared to adults who are community-dwelling. Leisure engagement plays a critical role in addressing these public health concerns, and recreational therapists are well positioned to facilitate interventions aimed at reducing these issues. This pilot study examined the relationship between leisure engagement, loneliness, and boredom among 65 older adults living in two residential communities with very different environmental resources (high vs low). Although adults residing in the lower resource facility reported higher levels of loneliness, no significant difference in loneliness mean values was found between communities. However, levels of boredom were significantly higher in the lower resource community, and overall boredom levels were strongly associated with levels of loneliness regardless of environmental resources. Adults in the lower resource community reported less participation in leisure activity and more barriers to physical and outdoor leisure activities. The findings of the study are discussed in terms of implications for recreational therapy practice and directions for future research.